3,381 main dish recipes

Three-ingredient brine for smoking fish that firms up flesh, seasons deep, and builds the tacky pellicle hot smoke needs to grab hold.

Texas-style ribs are pork spareribs par-roasted to render fat, then oven-basted in a tangy citrus-ketchup sauce with horseradish and hot sauce. Sticky, sweet, and sharp with a sharp Hill Country edge.

Fried country ham with red-eye gravy: the classic Southern breakfast of thick-sliced salt-cured ham fried in its own fat, deglazed with hot coffee. Two ingredients, pure tradition.

Fast pita pizza topped with tomato sauce, mushrooms, peppers, and alfalfa sprouts. A 10-minute vegetarian single-serving pizza using pita bread as an instant crust.

Korean bulgogi marinates thin beef strips in soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, brown sugar, and green onions, then grills or broils until caramelized. Classic Korean BBQ for 6.

Shortcut beef pot pie with canned beef stew and store-bought pie crust, topped with Parmesan and parsley. A 45-minute weeknight comfort dinner.

Sticky monster beef ribs marinated overnight, hickory-smoked low over a beef broth drip pan, then basted with mesquite BBQ sauce until the bark turns glossy black. Backyard beef ribs done right.

Chili-rubbed sirloin steak: a quick four-ingredient weeknight dinner ready in 15 minutes. Garlic and chili powder pressed into the meat form a bold dry crust under high heat, sliced and served with cool salsa.

Eggplant and tomato casserole baked under a parmesan crust, loaded with mushrooms, peppers, garlic, and a briny hit of capers. A rustic Mediterranean vegetable bake that works as a main or a hearty side.

Roast rack of lamb under a crisp mustard-and-herb breadcrumb crust of parsley, rosemary and garlic. An elegant medium-rare centerpiece that looks impressive but comes together simply.

Basic rack of lamb: a French-trimmed rack marinated, then roasted hot to a rosy medium-rare and carved into elegant double-bone chops. The foundation technique for an impressive special-occasion main.

A fresh basil-garlic burger sauce: mayo whisked with Dijon, lemon, olive oil and plenty of garlic and basil. A herby, creamy upgrade from ketchup that's great on burgers and beyond.

Shrimp scampi broiled in a bright white wine, lemon, and herb sauce with shallots, basil, and oregano. A light, fast seafood dinner that is ready in about 20 minutes.

Chipotle grilled trout rubbed with a smoky paste of chipotle peppers, walnuts, and parsley, then grilled fast. The walnuts thicken the rub into a pesto-like crust. Great with hush puppies and salsa.

TVP burritos give you the heft of seasoned taco meat with zero meat. Textured vegetable protein soaks up taco spices and simmers with kidney beans for a high-protein, budget-friendly vegan filling.

Baked mac and cheese loaded with smoky leftover ham and pan-fried onions, topped with melty mozzarella and golden breadcrumbs. The tastiest way to put that holiday spiral ham to work.